# 2016 NCAA Division II women's basketball tournament

The 2016 NCAA Division II women's basketball tournament involved 64 teams playing in a single-elimination tournament to determine the NCAA Division II women's college basketball national champion. It began on March 10, 2016, and concluded with the championship game on April 4, 2016.
The first three rounds were hosted by top-seeded teams in regional play. The eight regional winners met for the quarterfinal and semifinals, better known as the "Elite Eight" and "Final Four" respectively, championship rounds for the second-consecutive year at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The championship game, along with the championship game of the Division I and Division III tournaments, were held at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
In their first season of NCAA postseason eligibility after transitioning from the NAIA, the Lubbock Christian Lady Chaps completed an undefeated season by defeating the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves 78–73. The only blemish in the Lady Chaps' season was a 95–39 exhibition loss to eventual Division I champion Connecticut that did not count toward either team's official record.

## Participants
### Automatic qualifiers

Twenty-four teams qualified for the tournament by winning their conference's automatic bid.

### At-large

The remaining 40 bids to the tournament were given to teams at-large.

## Regionals
### Atlantic - Richmond, Virginia

Hosted by Virginia Union University at Arthur Ashe Athletic Center
| Regional Quarterfinals Round of 64 March 11 | Regional Quarterfinals Round of 64 March 11 | Regional Quarterfinals Round of 64 March 11 | Regional semifinals Round of 32 March 12 | Regional semifinals Round of 32 March 12 | Regional semifinals Round of 32 March 12 | Regional finals Sweet Sixteen March 14 | Regional finals Sweet Sixteen March 14 | Regional finals Sweet Sixteen March 14 |
| 1 | Virginia Union | 91 | | | | | | |
| 8 | Indiana (PA) | 72 | | | | | | |
| 8 | Indiana (PA) | 72 | 1 | Virginia Union | 75 | | | |
| | | | 4 | Wheeling Jesuit | 66 | | | |
| 4 | Wheeling Jesuit | 71 | 4 | Wheeling Jesuit | 66 | | | |
| 5 | West Chester | 69 | | | | | | |
| 5 | West Chester | 69 | | | | 1 | Virginia Union | 91 |
| | | | | | | 3 | West Liberty | 77 |
| 2 | California (PA) | 80 | | | | | | | 3 | West Liberty | 77 |
| 7 | Chowan | 70 | | | | | | |
| 7 | Chowan | 70 | 2 | California (PA) | 62 | | | |
| | | | 3 | West Liberty | 68 | | | |
| 3 | West Liberty | 85 | 3 | West Liberty | 68 | | | |
| 6 | Shaw | 70 | | | | | | |

### Central - Pittsburg, Kansas

Hosted by Pittsburg State University at John Lance Arena
| Regional Quarterfinals Round of 64 March 11 | Regional Quarterfinals Round of 64 March 11 | Regional Quarterfinals Round of 64 March 11 | Regional semifinals Round of 32 March 12 | Regional semifinals Round of 32 March 12 | Regional semifinals Round of 32 March 12 | Regional finals Sweet Sixteen March 14 | Regional finals Sweet Sixteen March 14 | Regional finals Sweet Sixteen March 14 |
| 1 | Emporia State | 74 | | | | | | |
| 8 | Northern State | 68 | | | | | | |
| 8 | Northern State | 68 | 1 | Emporia State | 66 | | | |
| | | | 4 | Winona State | 62 | | | |
| 4 | Winona State | 60 | 4 | Winona State | 62 | | | |
| 5 | Fort Hays State | 55 | | | | | | |
| 5 | Fort Hays State | 55 | | | | 1 | Emporia State | 74 |
| | | | | | | 2 | Pittsburg State | 78 |
| 2 | Pittsburg State | 79 | | | | | | | 2 | Pittsburg State | 78 |
| 7 | Sioux Falls | 39 | | | | | | |
| 7 | Sioux Falls | 39 | 2 | Pittsburg State | 91 | | | |
| | | | 6 | Arkansas Tech | 80 | | | |
| 3 | Missouri Western | 80 | 6 | Arkansas Tech | 80 | | | |
| 6 | Arkansas Tech | 81 | | | | | | |

### East - Waltham, Massachusetts

Hosted by Bentley University at Dana Center
| Regional Quarterfinals Round of 64 March 11 | Regional Quarterfinals Round of 64 March 11 | Regional Quarterfinals Round of 64 March 11 | Regional semifinals Round of 32 March 12 | Regional semifinals Round of 32 March 12 | Regional semifinals Round of 32 March 12 | Regional finals Sweet Sixteen March 14 | Regional finals Sweet Sixteen March 14 | Regional finals Sweet Sixteen March 14 |
| 1 | Bentley | 62 | | | | | | |
| 8 | Saint Anselm | 54 | | | | | | |
| 8 | Saint Anselm | 54 | 1 | Bentley | 77 | | | |
| | | | 4 | Queens (NY) | 67 | | | |
| 4 | Queens (NY) | 76 | 4 | Queens (NY) | 67 | | | |
| 5 | Holy Family | 64 | | | | | | |
| 5 | Holy Family | 64 | | | | 1 | Bentley | 79 |
| | | | | | | 6 | New York Tech | 74 |
| 2 | American International | 61 | | | | | | | 6 | New York Tech | 74 |
| 7 | Bloomfield | 59 | | | | | | |
| 7 | Bloomfield | 59 | 2 | American International | 69 | | | |
| | | | 6 | New York Tech | 73 | | | |
| 3 | Philadelphia | 74 | 6 | New York Tech | 73 | | | |
| 6 | New York Tech | 88 | | | | | | |

### Midwest - Ashland, Ohio

Hosted by Ashland University at Kates Gymnasium
| Regional Quarterfinals Round of 64 March 11 | Regional Quarterfinals Round of 64 March 11 | Regional Quarterfinals Round of 64 March 11 | Regional semifinals Round of 32 March 12 | Regional semifinals Round of 32 March 12 | Regional semifinals Round of 32 March 12 | Regional finals Sweet Sixteen March 14 | Regional finals Sweet Sixteen March 14 | Regional finals Sweet Sixteen March 14 |
| 1 | Ashland | 72 | | | | | | |
| 8 | Ursuline | 70 | | | | | | |
| 8 | Ursuline | 70 | 1 | Ashland | 60 | | | |
| | | | 4 | Drury | 86 | | | |
| 4 | Drury | 79 | 4 | Drury | 86 | | | |
| 5 | Quincy | 71 | | | | | | |
| 5 | Quincy | 71 | | | | 4 | Drury | 60 |
| | | | | | | 7 | Grand Valley State | 62 |
| 2 | Lewis | 70 | | | | | | | 7 | Grand Valley State | 62 |
| 7 | Grand Valley State | 72 | | | | | | |
| 7 | Grand Valley State | 72 | 7 | Grand Valley State | 63 | | | |
| | | | 6 | Saginaw Valley | 56 | | | |
| 3 | Bellarmine | 58 | 6 | Saginaw Valley | 56 | | | |
| 6 | Saginaw Valley | 69 | | | | | | |

### South - Jackson, Tennessee

Hosted by Union University at Fred DeLay Gymnasium
| Regional Quarterfinals Round of 64 March 11 | Regional Quarterfinals Round of 64 March 11 | Regional Quarterfinals Round of 64 March 11 | Regional semifinals Round of 32 March 12 | Regional semifinals Round of 32 March 12 | Regional semifinals Round of 32 March 12 | Regional finals Sweet Sixteen March 14 | Regional finals Sweet Sixteen March 14 | Regional finals Sweet Sixteen March 14 |
| 1 | Union (TN) | 62 | | | | | | |
| 8 | Tampa | 72 | | | | | | |
| 8 | Tampa | 72 | 8 | Tampa | 59 | | | |
| | | | 4 | Florida Southern | 69 | | | |
| 4 | Florida Southern | 61 | 4 | Florida Southern | 69 | | | |
| 5 | Kentucky State | 50 | | | | | | |
| 5 | Kentucky State | 50 | | | | 4 | Florida Southern | 64 |
| | | | | | | 2 | Benedict | 56 |
| 2 | Benedict | 51 | | | | | | | 2 | Benedict | 56 |
| 7 | Florida Tech | 30 | | | | | | |
| 7 | Florida Tech | 30 | 2 | Benedict | 69 | | | |
| | | | 6 | Nova Southeastern | 57 | | | |
| 3 | Delta State | 64 | 6 | Nova Southeastern | 57 | | | |
| 6 | Nova Southeastern | 75 | | | | | | |

### Southeast - Gaffney, South Carolina

Hosted by Limestone College at Timken Center
| Regional Quarterfinals Round of 64 March 11 | Regional Quarterfinals Round of 64 March 11 | Regional Quarterfinals Round of 64 March 11 | Regional semifinals Round of 32 March 12 | Regional semifinals Round of 32 March 12 | Regional semifinals Round of 32 March 12 | Regional finals Sweet Sixteen March 14 | Regional finals Sweet Sixteen March 14 | Regional finals Sweet Sixteen March 14 |
| 1 | Limestone | 70 | | | | | | |
| 8 | Augusta | 79 | | | | | | |
| 8 | Augusta | 79 | 8 | Augusta | 81 | | | |
| | | | 5 | Anderson (SC) | 73 | | | |
| 4 | Clayton State | 56 | 5 | Anderson (SC) | 73 | | | |
| 5 | Anderson (SC) | 80 | | | | | | |
| 5 | Anderson (SC) | 80 | | | | 8 | Augusta | 65 |
| | | | | | | 2 | Francis Marion | 72 |
| 2 | Lander | 61 | | | | | | | 2 | Francis Marion | 72 |
| 7 | Francis Marion | 62 | | | | | | |
| 7 | Francis Marion | 62 | 7 | Francis Marion | 67 | | | |
| | | | 3 | Columbus State | 58 | | | |
| 3 | Columbus State | 79 | 3 | Columbus State | 58 | | | |
| 6 | Wingate | 72 | | | | | | |

### South Central - Lubbock, Texas

Hosted by Lubbock Christian University at Rip Griffin Center
| Regional Quarterfinals Round of 64 March 10 | Regional Quarterfinals Round of 64 March 10 | Regional Quarterfinals Round of 64 March 10 | Regional semifinals Round of 32 March 12 | Regional semifinals Round of 32 March 12 | Regional semifinals Round of 32 March 12 | Regional finals Sweet Sixteen March 14 | Regional finals Sweet Sixteen March 14 | Regional finals Sweet Sixteen March 14 |
| 1 | Lubbock Christian | 95 | | | | | | |
| 8 | Texas Woman's | 75 | | | | | | |
| 8 | Texas Woman's | 75 | 1 | Lubbock Christian | 101 | | | |
| | | | 4 | Angelo State | 72 | | | |
| 4 | Angelo State | 71 | 4 | Angelo State | 72 | | | |
| 5 | Colorado Mines | 61 | | | | | | |
| 5 | Colorado Mines | 61 | | | | 1 | Lubbock Christian | 88 |
| | | | | | | 3 | West Texas A&M | 68 |
| 2 | Colorado State–Pueblo | 60 | | | | | | | 3 | West Texas A&M | 68 |
| 7 | Black Hills State | 78 | | | | | | |
| 7 | Black Hills State | 78 | 7 | Black Hills State | 48 | | | |
| | | | 3 | West Texas A&M | 63 | | | |
| 3 | West Texas A&M | 70 | 3 | West Texas A&M | 63 | | | |
| 6 | Colorado Springs | 43 | | | | | | |

### West - Azusa, California

Hosted by Azusa Pacific University at Felix Event Center
| Regional Quarterfinals Round of 64 March 11 | Regional Quarterfinals Round of 64 March 11 | Regional Quarterfinals Round of 64 March 11 | Regional semifinals Round of 32 March 12 | Regional semifinals Round of 32 March 12 | Regional semifinals Round of 32 March 12 | Regional finals Sweet Sixteen March 14 | Regional finals Sweet Sixteen March 14 | Regional finals Sweet Sixteen March 14 |
| 1 | Azusa Pacific | 83 | | | | | | |
| 8 | Montana State–Billings | 75 | | | | | | |
| 8 | Montana State–Billings | 75 | 1 | Azusa Pacific | 77 | | | |
| | | | 4 | UC San Diego | 87 | | | |
| 4 | UC San Diego | 74 | 4 | UC San Diego | 87 | | | |
| 5 | Cal State East Bay | 59 | | | | | | |
| 5 | Cal State East Bay | 59 | | | | 4 | UC San Diego | 57 |
| | | | | | | 2 | Alaska–Anchorage | 72 |
| 2 | Alaska–Anchorage | 82 | | | | | | | 2 | Alaska–Anchorage | 72 |
| 7 | Cal State Dominguez Hills | 53 | | | | | | |
| 7 | Cal State Dominguez Hills | 53 | 2 | Alaska–Anchorage | 83 | | | |
| | | | 3 | Cal Baptist | 79 | | | |
| 3 | Cal Baptist | 93 | 3 | Cal Baptist | 79 | | | |
| 6 | Academy of Art | 70 | | | | | | |

## Elite Eight - Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Indianapolis, Indiana

Quarterfinals and semifinals location: Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls Host: Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
Championship game location: Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis (along with the Division I and Division III championship games) Hosts: Horizon League and IUPU-Indianapolis
| Quarterfinals Elite Eight March 22 | Quarterfinals Elite Eight March 22 | Quarterfinals Elite Eight March 22 | Semifinals Final Four March 23 | Semifinals Final Four March 23 | Semifinals Final Four March 23 | Finals Championship Game April 4 | Finals Championship Game April 4 | Finals Championship Game April 4 |
| SC1 | Lubbock Christian | 73 | | | | | | |
| S4 | Florida Southern | 69 | | | | | | |
| S4 | Florida Southern | 69 | SC1 | Lubbock Christian | 67 | | | |
| | | | E1 | Bentley | 57 | | | |
| E1 | Bentley | 53 | E1 | Bentley | 57 | | | |
| A1 | Virginia Union | 52 | | | | | | |
| A1 | Virginia Union | 52 | | | | SC1 | Lubbock Christian | 78 |
| | | | | | | W2 | Alaska–Anchorage | 73 |
| W2 | Alaska–Anchorage | 79 | | | | | | | W2 | Alaska–Anchorage | 73 |
| SE7 | Francis Marion | 55 | | | | | | |
| SE7 | Francis Marion | 55 | W2 | Alaska–Anchorage | 67 | | | |
| | | | MW7 | Grand Valley State | 47 | | | |
| MW7 | Grand Valley State | 59 | MW7 | Grand Valley State | 47 | | | |
| C2 | Pittsburg State | 56 | | | | | | |